Class 10, how to tell wild animals explained thoroughly.

3. ABOUT THE POET
• Carolyn Wells was born on June 18, 1862 in The
United States. She was a prolific American writer
remembered largely for her popular mysteries,
children’s books and humorous verse. Her light-
hearted poetry writing was aimed, primarily, at
children. She wrote for almost 40 years. And she was
a frequent contributor of Nonsense verse and
whimsical pieces to such little magazines as The
Lark, the Chap Book and the Philistine. Her books
include A NONSENSE ANTHOLOGY, THE BOOK
OF HUMOROUS VERSE, THE BOOK OF
LIMERICKS, HORROR HOUSE, MURDER IN THE
BOOKSHOP etc. This poem HOW TO TELL WILD
ANIMALS is a humorous poem in which the poetess
tells us how we may identify different wild animals.

4. INTRODUCTION
• This humorous poem suggests some dangerous ways to identify wild animals. The
poetess has also explained the characteristics of various wild animals in a very
funny way. She has used language in a way that it generates humour. She
introduces the reader to various kinds of wild animals like the Asian lion, the
Bengal tiger, bear, etc. explaining each of the animals in a very humorous way. She
describes the Hyena for its smiling face and the crocodile for its tears. Then the
poetess describes how the chameleon changes its colour.

5. WORD MEANINGS
• Tawny : brownish yellow
• Dyin’ : dying
• Discern : make out, identify
• Strolling : wandering
• Hide : animal skin
• Peppered : covered with spots
• Caress : a gentle, loving touch
• Distinguish : identify
• Novice : a beginner, someone new to a job
• Nonplused : confused, surprised

6. EXPLANATION
STANZA 1
• The poetess here cautions the readers
against the wild beasts found in the
jungle. She says if by chance you reach
the jungles in the east, you are likely to
encounter a large and tawny beast
approaching you and if its roars loudly at
you and you feel that you are going to die
due to fear then you can be sure that it is
the Asian lion.

7. STANZA 2
• In this stanza the poetess tells us
how to identify a Bengal tiger. She
says that if you are roaming around
in the jungle and come across an
animal with black and yellow
stripes and the animal starts eating
you, then this simple rule will
teach you that it is a Bengal Tiger
.

8. STANZA 3
• Here the poet says that if you are casually
walking in the forest and you come across an
animal with black spots on its body it’s going
to be a leopard. The animal is so fast that it
will leap on you at once. There is no escape
from him even if you cry out in pain because
he will continue pouncing on you and start
eating you before you understand that it is a
leopard.

9. STANZA 4
• In this stanza Carolyn Wells says
that while you are walking
around in your yard, you may
meet a creature there. When this
creature hugs you very tightly,
then you can be sure that it is a
bear. If you have any doubt in
your mind then he will just give
you another tight hug. This hug
may seem friendly but it can be
fatal.

10. STANZA 5
• The poetess says that sometimes it becomes
quite difficult for a novice ( a beginner) to
differentiate between the different wild
animals. He may not be able to distinguish
between a hyena and a crocodile. So, the poet
helps to differentiate a crocodile from a hyena.
She says that a hyena always laughs as it
swallows its victim. A crocodile, on the other
hand, is said to shed tears while eating its
prey.

11. STANZA 6
• In this stanza the poetess describes a chameleon.
She says that a true chameleon is a small animal.
It resembles a lizard. It doesn’t have ears or
wings. The poetess says that if you are not able to
see anything on the tree, then chances are there
that that a chameleon is sitting there. The
chameleon is a master of camaouflage as it
changes colour as per its surroundings. Thus it is
difficult to spot it. This attribute helps it to escape
from its enemies.
•
•

12. EXERCISE FOR PRACTICE
• 1. What does the poet say about the Asian Lion in this poem?
• 2. How does the Bengal Tiger look? What is so distinct about him?
• 3. Why does the poet say that a bear’s hug may confuse a novice?
• 4. How does a crocodile behave when he sees someone?
• 5. What does the poet say about the crocodile and the hyena?

13. MODULE 1
END